Link to Police Officer Job Description - City of Port Orchard

CITY OF PORT ORCHARD 

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Job Title: 

FLSA: 

Police Officer 

Non-Exempt 

Civil Service: Included 

Department: Police Department 

Reports To: 

Police Sergeant 

This is a full-time position. Incumbent may be required to attend meetings during other 

than normal work hours and may also be called back to work before or after regularly 

scheduled work hours or on scheduled days off. A Police Officer will be required to work 

Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and will be subject to shift assignment and/or rotation in 

accordance with established procedures. 

Major Function and Purpose 

A Police Officer's primary purpose is to maintain peace and order and to protect life and 

property through impartial enforcement of federal, state and local laws. 

General Function 

Under general supervision from the Police Sergeant, the Police Officer is responsible for 

protecting lives and property within his/her jurisdiction. It is important for persons in this 

position to maintain a high public profile in order to deter criminal behavior. 

Supervision Responsibilities 

This is a non-supervisory position. However, a Police Officer may supervise a new officer or 

Police Reserve Officer as required. 

JOB DESCRIPTION: POLICE OFFICER PAGE 1 OF 5

Job Duties and Responsibilities 

This job description reflects general details as necessary to describe the principal functions 

of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of 

responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. 

Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional 

areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to otherwise balance 

the work load. 

• Operates a motor vehicle for extended periods of time in all environmental conditions, 

and on occasion at high speeds and in congested traffic situations 

• Apprehends those suspected of unlawful activity, cautiously observing legal guidelines 

regarding arrests and individual civil rights 

• Patrols city limits from a police car, other police vehicle or on foot to monitor activity 

• Monitors and enforces traffic laws and safety ordinances within a prescribed jurisdiction 

• Patrols and examines buildings and residences to detect suspicious conditions 

• Detects and/or prevents criminal activities 

• Directs traffic in congested and emergency areas; reports safety hazards 

• Identifies and eliminates hazards to public safety 

• Issues citations for various infractions 

• Responds to scene of accident and investigates cause 

• Responds to calls for service and assistance 

• Provides first aid as needed 

• Investigates and interviews victims, witnesses and potential suspects 

• Appears in court to testify as needed 

• Conducts detailed investigations and gathers information that pertains to suspected 

criminal activities 

• Conducts follow-up investigations based upon reports and other data compiled by 

department personnel 

• Searches for and preserves evidence 

• Makes oral and written reports 

• Prepares reports pertaining to arrests and investigations 


• Records information related to daily patrol activities and preparation of reports based 

on this information to aid in the prosecution of offenders 

• Maintains liaison with other departments and agencies 

• Participates in various training sessions 

• Become qualified and obtain any certifications required by local, state or federal law. 

• Conducts light preventative maintenance on departmental equipment 

• Meet minimum department standards on firearms qualification. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

While requirements may be representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and 

abilities, to perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes 

to perform each duty proficiently. 

A Police Officer must possess excellent skills in interpersonal relations and communication. 

A high level of maturity, emotional stability and the ability to exercise sound judgment 

under stress, particularly in crisis situations, is essential to the performance of duties. He/she 

must be able to respond to varying situations with tact and diplomacy and know how to 

deal with stressful, hostile or irrational persons, whether due to physical or mental disability, 

drugs, socio-economic differences, or other factors. 

A Police Officer must display a pleasant and professional demeanor when in contact with 

citizens to establish a positive public image. In addition, he/she must appreciate and 

observe the importance of maintaining confidentiality of all information acquired in the 

discharge of his/her duties. 

Maintenance of personal health and good physical condition is a basic job qualification. 

A Police Officer will receive training in the use of a variety of job-related equipment and will 

be expected to utilize all apparatus and equipment proficiently and appropriately, 

including the use of firearms. 

Working Conditions 

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors, and he/she will be required to perform 

normal duties in inclement or severe weather conditions. The employee may have 

exposure to hazards such as chemicals, insect stings, and temperature extremes. The 

employee may also have exposure to blood and communicable disease. A Police Officer 

may expect to encounter hostile or violent individuals and may be subject to verbal 

and/or physical attack or assault from such individuals, or may have gunfire directed at 

him/her. Tasks may require the employee to wear protective clothing or equipment. 

A Police Officer is subject to shift rotation, and may be required to work overtime as the 

need arises. Subpoenaed appearances in court to testify in the prosecution of individuals 

charged with misdemeanor or felony offenses is a regular and ongoing occurrence, and 

such appearances may be required during a Police Officers days off, or before or after a 


egularly scheduled work shift. In addition, the Officer may be contacted by supervisory 

personnel at his/her residence during off-duty hours for guidance and/or counseling. 

A Police Officer shall serve a probationary period as established by the City of Port Orchard 

Civil Service Rules and Regulations. 

Contacts and Relationships 

A Police Officer will have daily contact with employees of the City and with the citizens of 

the community. In addition, he/she will be expected to present him/herself in a manner 

creditable to the City in all contacts with any individual, agency, court, or jurisdiction with 

which he/she may come in contact. 

Physical Requirements 

The employee will routinely encounter emergency situations that may require rapid 

evacuation of an area in order to avoid personal injury or to provide assistance to another 

individual, and must therefore have the physical ability to walk and run. A Police Officer 

must also have the physical ability to engage in physical altercations and confrontations 

and to subdue or calm a combative individual, and to rescue victims 

A Police Officer will be required to operate a City patrol car safely and efficiently. In 

addition, proficient use and maintenance of any other job-related tools, apparatus or 

equipment, including use of firearms, is required. 

Recruiting Requirements 

A Police Officer must: 

• Be 21 years old or older 

• Possess valid Washington state driver's license 

• Be able to qualify on the shooting range 

• Be able to pass Washington State medical standards for police officers 

• Have the ability to read, understand and interpret ordinances, laws, and other 

operating procedures and to communicate orally and in writing 

• Have the ability and willingness to maintain strict confidentiality 

• Possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent 

• Be capable of passing applicable civil service or city required employment testing, such 

as, but not limited to, psychological, physical agility, polygraph 

• Be capable of satisfactorily prescribed courses of training at the academy and during 

in-service training progress, as required 

• Must be legally permitted to possess a firearm in the State of Washington 

• Must be legally qualified to work in the United States 

• All city employees must successfully pass a pre-employment Drug Testing as prescribed 

by the City's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy. 


Experience and Training 

Any combination of experience and training that provides the desired skills, knowledge 

and abilities. 

Requirements outlined in this job description may be subject to modification to reasonably 

accommodate individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified for employment in this 

position. However, some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or 

significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. 

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the 

Employer and employee and is subject to change as the needs of the Employer and 

requirements of the job change.

Link to Police Officer Job Description - City of Port Orchard

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